No. 14.
Telegrams and Correspondence respecting the Armaments of the Forts at Hongkong.
Presented to the Legislative Council by Command of
His Excellency the Governor.
(1.)
TELEGRAM.
Governor Sir G. F. Bowen to the Secretary of State.
2nd January, 1885.
Legislative Council unanimous in voting the amount estimated for expenditure on works of Military Defences, on the understanding that Imperial Government provides armament of latest pattern breech-loading heavy Ordnance, capable of resisting heaviest modern Ironclads. Despatch by Mail.
MY LORD,
(2.)
Governor Sir G. F. Bowen to the Secretary of State.
GOVERNMENT HOUSE, HONGKONG, 2nd January, 1885.
Referring to much previous correspondence on the subject, I have the honour to report that on the 31st ultimo, the Legislative Council unanimously voted the special contribution of fifty-five thousand six hundred and twenty-five pounds sterling (£55,625), required by Her Majesty's Government from this Colony to meet the cost of the new Defence Works.
2. I have this day telegraphed to your Lordship to the above effect.
3. The terms of the vote, which were arranged by the Finance Committee of the Council, are as follows:--
"This Council now vote the sum of fifty-five thousand six hundred and twenty-five pounds sterling (£55,625), required as the contribution of this Colony to the effective defence of Hongkong; it being understood that the armament to be provided by the Imperial Government, will be of the best and latest pattern of breech-loading Ordnance, and capable of resisting attacks by the heaviest modern Ironclads."
4. It is my duty to report that there is a very strong feeling in this corn- munity—a feeling fully shared by the principal Naval and Military Officers on this Station that it would be worse than useless (as leading to a false sense of security), to erect fresh Defence Works here, unless they are armed with Ordnance of the
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